Winword.exe running multiple times when using Spell Check

When trying to do a spell check, Service Desk is calling Winword.exe to do the spell check. When the spell check is finished, task manager shows that winword is still running. If you do another spell check, SD opens another instance of winword.exe. I have one client that has had it running 30 times. Is this a bug or something that ws fixed in a SP? We are only on SP9. Hopeing to go to 17 soon but not at this time.